Need a morale boost! Sonic/Sonic


Amy_Amp

 

Posted

Hey everyone! I'm a bit worried about my recent decision on power sets.

Here is the story...

I started playing again with two friends and we are planning on keeping our trio going with the occasional addition for bigger teams. I originally made a Drk/Drk corruptor but recently we decided we will prolly switch to Champion from Virtue. So, here is my dilemma...

I recently had a great idea for a costume and character concept for a sonic/sonic corruptor and was really considering playing him with my friends. I am really big on using strong character themes so I don't like mixing my powersets up too much. So sonic/sonic is the way I have to go with this character concept.

My problem is that I have not heard much good about this combo and it is making me worry a bit. I suppose I don't need to be the best at everything but will I be gimped with this set? Please help me feel better about this decision! Thanks!

(Also, for anyone wondering, I'll prolly still level a drk/drk at some time.)


 

Posted

Quote:
Originally Posted by Hero View Post
Hey everyone! I'm a bit worried about my recent decision on power sets.

Here is the story...

I started playing again with two friends and we are planning on keeping our trio going with the occasional addition for bigger teams. I originally made a Drk/Drk corruptor but recently we decided we will prolly switch to Champion from Virtue. So, here is my dilemma...

I recently had a great idea for a costume and character concept for a sonic/sonic corruptor and was really considering playing him with my friends. I am really big on using strong character themes so I don't like mixing my powersets up too much. So sonic/sonic is the way I have to go with this character concept.

My problem is that I have not heard much good about this combo and it is making me worry a bit. I suppose I don't need to be the best at everything but will I be gimped with this set? Please help me feel better about this decision! Thanks!

(Also, for anyone wondering, I'll prolly still level a drk/drk at some time.)
Sonic/sonic is tricky to level solo, but that won't be an issue for you.

Sonic/ isn't orgasmic straight damage, but you'll greatly magnify damage done by teammates with your -res.

/sonic is powerful but clicky. You'll have to keep your shields up on everyone, which some people hate while others don't mind.

edit: sonic/sonic is an AV killer, you'll never lack for invitations to TFs or incarnate trials.


 

Posted

There are a few items that make sonic/sonic very special to teams. First, very few players will say, no, no thanks, i have enough resistance and that silly disruption resistance debuff from longbow means nothing to me. The sonic shields are very good. The issue with the pulsing shields in the older issues has been fixed. Some folks didn't like the orange outline on shielded players. This can be fixed, too.

Second, Sonic/sonic has very good stacking debuff of foes' resistances. Although your teammate anchor costs a lot of end, your anchor is intended to stay alive, unlike rad anchors. Unless someone is confused, no one is smacking your tanker teammate .

Third, sonic dispersion is quietly understated, but the additional resistance and mezz protection are good as gold! I can't think of any squishy teammates that don't appreciate another layer of mezz protection.

Other gems to note are Liquefy and sonic cage. Sonic cage can make a difference in specialized situations, but that's how defenders roll. Specifically, you can cage towers on the last map of the Lord Recluse Task Force. It's an edge, not game-breaking, but it can help your tank. Communicate well and it will serve you well. Sonic siphon is a single target debuff and is very useful on the hardest targets. Again, hitting the resistance debuff cap is nigh impossible.

Sonic blast has a good mix. Howl is bread and better cone resistance debuff that also isn't worthless for damage. Screech is a nice stun for neutralizing targets like skyraider engineers, sappers, and stacks with other forms of stun for bosses and such. Siren song is great for accidental extr group aggro.

I have a level 50 on Triumph and it works well.


Triumphant Defenders Forever
Psylenz FF/Psi, ArticQuark Storm/Rad, Symon BarSisyphus Bots/psn, Max VanSydow Thugs/Dk, Cyclone Symon Bots/stm, Blue Loki Ice/Cd, Widow 46526
HelinCarnate:OMG it is so terrible. I have the option to take 3 more powers but no additional slots. Boo F'ing hoo.

 

Posted

Slotted with Hami-Os, you can also cage LR himself, after you take down the yellow. This can give you another way to make tankless STF runs much easier, in addition to perma-PA, kiting, and other strategies I've seen. Cage the blue so defense works, eat purples, take down the yellow, then Perma-Cage LR and call it done.


 

Posted

So, the shields can be pretty great?

Is there a huge difference in the effectiveness of Son/Son Corruptor rather than a Defender?


 

Posted

Sonic barrier on defenders is 20%. Sonic haven is 20%. Sonic Dispersion is 15%

Sonic barrier on corruptors is 15%. Sonic haven is 15%. Sonic Dispersion is 11.25%

It's nice mitigation.


Triumphant Defenders Forever
Psylenz FF/Psi, ArticQuark Storm/Rad, Symon BarSisyphus Bots/psn, Max VanSydow Thugs/Dk, Cyclone Symon Bots/stm, Blue Loki Ice/Cd, Widow 46526
HelinCarnate:OMG it is so terrible. I have the option to take 3 more powers but no additional slots. Boo F'ing hoo.

 

Posted

Quote:
Originally Posted by Hero View Post
So, the shields can be pretty great?

Is there a huge difference in the effectiveness of Son/Son Corruptor rather than a Defender?
The only real differences between the two are the fact that the Defender will have better buffs and debuffs while the Corruptor will do more damage and has Scourge for even more hurt.

I find, in general, that a Corruptor is easier to solo, since you have to do all your own damage, while the Defender is better on teams, because your powers are letting them do more damage. Neither is really better than the other, in the end.


 

Posted

Some one did the math a (long) while ago showing a sonic/sonic Defender will outdamage a sonic/sonic Corruptor in a fight. I think it was before the change to vigilance too, which would mean that these days a Defender will certainly out-do a Corruptor.

Need to find that post again to varify the claim.

Anyway, other than sonic attack, what goes well with sonic resonance? The reason I ask is because I have a sonic/kin corr already and I prefer to try something other than sonic attack.

Thanks


 

Posted

Quote:
Originally Posted by Angelic_EU View Post
Some one did the math a (long) while ago showing a sonic/sonic Defender will outdamage a sonic/sonic Corruptor in a fight. I think it was before the change to vigilance too, which would mean that these days a Defender will certainly out-do a Corruptor.

Need to find that post again to varify the claim.

Anyway, other than sonic attack, what goes well with sonic resonance? The reason I ask is because I have a sonic/kin corr already and I prefer to try something other than sonic attack.

Thanks

yeah... the secondary effects of the -res debuff are so much stronger on a sonic defender, that it seems to be the one lone example of a defender in general out damaging a corrupter with the same blast/support setup

granted.. against foes with a high -res debuff protection this wont be true... but from what i've seen, sonic def are far more common then sonic cor... so it seems to be true.


 

Posted

I have a sonic/sonic corruptor as well. It's a very fun combo. While some might like the higher debuffs/buffs on defenders, I still very much enjoy the interaction between scourge and the stacking -res. After a couple attacks, your damage goes up from the side effect- just in time for scourge to start magnifying it further.

As /sonic is mostly toggle based with some buffs you only need to apply here and there, it's also far more offense based, as there's less that you have to keep up with on the secondary side. While a lot of the powers are more team based, I still enjoy it solo. Sonic attacks give good mitigation with the knockback, sleep and stun- combine it with your own armor bubble that protects from mez, and you're gold.


 

Posted

Quote:
Originally Posted by Hero View Post
I recently had a great idea for a costume and character concept for a sonic/sonic corruptor and was really considering playing him with my friends. I am really big on using strong character themes so I don't like mixing my powersets up too much. So sonic/sonic is the way I have to go with this character concept.
This seems pretty limited in terms of creative concept matching of powersets.


 

Posted

Quote:
Originally Posted by Angelic_EU View Post
Some one did the math a (long) while ago showing a sonic/sonic Defender will outdamage a sonic/sonic Corruptor in a fight. I think it was before the change to vigilance too, which would mean that these days a Defender will certainly out-do a Corruptor.

Need to find that post again to varify the claim.

Anyway, other than sonic attack, what goes well with sonic resonance? The reason I ask is because I have a sonic/kin corr already and I prefer to try something other than sonic attack.

Thanks
One suggestion that popped to mind is Ice blast. I haven't done it ... yet, but you get a single target hold. You are able to stand in the liquefy to keep the foes attention and hit them with ice storm and blizzard for that blaster sized AoE damage on debuffed foes.

I really like Sonic/* blast defenders better on teams for the shields and the sonic disruption.


Triumphant Defenders Forever
Psylenz FF/Psi, ArticQuark Storm/Rad, Symon BarSisyphus Bots/psn, Max VanSydow Thugs/Dk, Cyclone Symon Bots/stm, Blue Loki Ice/Cd, Widow 46526
HelinCarnate:OMG it is so terrible. I have the option to take 3 more powers but no additional slots. Boo F'ing hoo.

 

Posted

Quote:
Originally Posted by Deus_Otiosus View Post
This seems pretty limited in terms of creative concept matching of powersets.
Yeah, I agree. Unfortunately, I suffer from minor OCD and when I make combos that don't line up like that, I start having anxiety issues when I play them. I can sometimes get around that with really clever character concepts but the suit and stuff I had planned really works well with sonic.

Thanks for the advice so far guys.


 

Posted

Quote:
Originally Posted by Angelic_EU View Post
Some one did the math a (long) while ago showing a sonic/sonic Defender will outdamage a sonic/sonic Corruptor in a fight. I think it was before the change to vigilance too, which would mean that these days a Defender will certainly out-do a Corruptor.
I believe when scourge comes into play corruptors pull way ahead. That mostly only applies to tougher foes such as bosses and up. Also when your playing against higher level mobs such as +3s or higher.


 

Posted

Quote:
Originally Posted by Hero View Post
So, the shields can be pretty great?

Is there a huge difference in the effectiveness of Son/Son Corruptor rather than a Defender?
I don't normally get into Corruptor vs Defender debates unless I believe one side is getting under-represented. Usually it comes down to team utility vs soloing and personal damage.

Except in the case of Sonic/Sonic where I believe the Defender is the clear winner. There may be scenarios where the Corr has better personal damage but never a case where the Corr with this combo creates more team damage, at least for teams greater than oh, 4 members.

The mitigation provided by the Def is substantially higher. Base values were provided earlier in the thread, enhanced values become 54% resist for the Defender vs 40% resists for the Corruptor. Not trivial.

For an end game build, Maneuvers and Weave provide higher defense values for the Defender. Because of this, I consider my Sonic/Sonic Defender to be my toughest squishie, with soft-capped range def (I coun't select Scorp Shield when I made this build [I can now]) and hard-capped s/l and other high resists, and mez protection, he's just really hard to kill.


Global = Hedgefund (or some derivation thereof)

 

Posted

If you're worried about Sonic/Sonic being a worthwhile teammate or a powerful character, don't worry. My defender has turned out to be the most powerful team character I've made and a lot of fun to play. Keep teammates buffed and spend the rest of the time blasting and debuffing enemies.


 

Posted

Quote:
Originally Posted by teflonshugenja View Post
If you're worried about Sonic/Sonic being a worthwhile teammate or a powerful character, don't worry. My defender has turned out to be the most powerful team character I've made and a lot of fun to play. Keep teammates buffed and spend the rest of the time blasting and debuffing enemies.
There's just no anchor like sonic disruption, always on - endu allowing - and your team can't kill the anchor unless they get badly confused


Triumphant Defenders Forever
Psylenz FF/Psi, ArticQuark Storm/Rad, Symon BarSisyphus Bots/psn, Max VanSydow Thugs/Dk, Cyclone Symon Bots/stm, Blue Loki Ice/Cd, Widow 46526
HelinCarnate:OMG it is so terrible. I have the option to take 3 more powers but no additional slots. Boo F'ing hoo.

 

Posted

Wait...Why are people saying that Sonic/Sonic isn't incredible?

I mean, I probably do prefer it as a Defender for more massive buffs/debuffs, but come on! It's one of the best sets out there for making steamroller teams. Two Sonic/Sonic Corrupters will make a team tough as leather while turning enemies into mush. People complain that you aren't "Healorz"? Grab the Rebirth Destiny Incarnate for a massive PBAoE Heal.

It might not be a Fire/Kin Corr when it comes to raw damage output, but who cares? That's what you have other people for.


Too many alts to list.

 

Posted

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr_Grumpums View Post
Wait...Why are people saying that Sonic/Sonic isn't incredible?
No idea. Maybe they just haven't experienced the awesome yet? When you get right down to it, damage manipulation is a powerful mechanic but one that isn't all that common, which makes a Sonic corruptor or defender a great addition to any team.

I've also found that my Sonic takes full advantage of every Incarnate slot - Cardiac/Ion/Radial Reactive/Radial Rebirth/Warworks Core. She's hilariously powerful. It's been very satisfying to see a character that I enjoyed leveling so much also turn out to have a ton of endgame potential.

Short version: Sonic/Sonic is amazing.


 

Posted

I won't dispute sonic resonance is awesome sauce.

I did a KHAN TF on my FF defender with a sonic resonance teammate. The only 'healz' we had were from a Stormy's O2. The stormy informed us at the beginning she wouldn't heal for the whole team, but she must have enjoyed her bubbling because I caught her healing my defender. By the way, this was one of the most awesome steamrolling teams of Kahn I have experienced, pre-Incarnate abilities! Buffing and debuffing in spades from FF, sonic and storm.


Triumphant Defenders Forever
Psylenz FF/Psi, ArticQuark Storm/Rad, Symon BarSisyphus Bots/psn, Max VanSydow Thugs/Dk, Cyclone Symon Bots/stm, Blue Loki Ice/Cd, Widow 46526
HelinCarnate:OMG it is so terrible. I have the option to take 3 more powers but no additional slots. Boo F'ing hoo.

 

Posted

If you want to make a tank a sonic resonance believer, just put the sonic disruption on him and target through him with sonic siphon.


Triumphant Defenders Forever
Psylenz FF/Psi, ArticQuark Storm/Rad, Symon BarSisyphus Bots/psn, Max VanSydow Thugs/Dk, Cyclone Symon Bots/stm, Blue Loki Ice/Cd, Widow 46526
HelinCarnate:OMG it is so terrible. I have the option to take 3 more powers but no additional slots. Boo F'ing hoo.

 

Posted

I love this thread. Glad to see some love for the set in the forums.

I was one of the first sonic/sonic fenders on infinity (not counting all you Pleveled, never played it types) and I've been singing it's praises every since a full team frostfire mish to be exact.

If you have any questions about making your sonic/sonic, all you need to do is wait till level 4. With your 2 friends on the team, just take out one group while using your sonic debuffs and then take out a second group without using them. You will see that your group kills at least twice as fast (corrupter version debuffing is less effective than defender, sorry). You will be a believer before level 10 and you will never look back.

Note though that Sonic Dispersion will give you headaches (not real ones) as it's a serious aggro magnet for you. I personally place it on the second melee char into a group and that helps a lot. The only other advice is you will love/hate liquefy as it's an awesome power that takes years to recharge and you want to use it every group.


 

Posted

Quote:
Originally Posted by Shadey_NA View Post
Note though that Sonic Dispersion will give you headaches (not real ones) as it's a serious aggro magnet for you. I personally place it on the second melee char into a group and that helps a lot.
Did you mean Disruption Field?

Quote:
The only other advice is you will love/hate liquefy as it's an awesome power that takes years to recharge and you want to use it every group.
So true.


 

Posted

Quote:
Originally Posted by Shadey_NA View Post
Note though that Sonic Dispersion will give you headaches (not real ones) as it's a serious aggro magnet for you.
You mean DF and the aggro aspect was changed some time ago.


 

Posted

Yep, DF is what I meant. Gremlins in mah brainz again.

Didn't know they fixed the aggro issue though. I found placing it on the second in melee fixed it for me and i've never checked.